OFW Family Stops Beheading of Another OFW in Saudi
The Blas F. Ople Policy Center will offer a thanksgiving mass today (6 pm) at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Pasay City in gratitude for the act of forgiveness and reconciliation between two OFW families that paves the way for the eventual freedom of a Filipino on Saudi Arabia’s death row.
Susan Ople, president of the policy center, noted that three years of pain and anguish were resolved in a ten-minute meeting held this morning at the Coconut Palace with Vice-President Jejomar Binay, DFA OUMWA executive director Eric Endaya, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon and the Mendoza and Langamin families.
In May 2008, two seafarers aboard a ship located near Saudi Arabia had a serious altercation which resulted in the fatal stabbing of Robertson Mendoza. For the said crime, Jonard Langamin, son of sweet corn vendor Edith Langamin, was thrown in jail for murder, an act punishable by execution through beheading in the said Kingdom. The agreement reached this morning between the two families effectively negates such a possibility, thus saving the life of OFW Jonard Langamin who faces the death sentence early this year.
Edith Langamin’s body shook with shock, relief, and joy as she cried and kneeled in front of Robert Mendoza, father of Robertson, in gratitude for his forgiveness. She also hugged Vice-President Binay while repeatedly expressing her thanks. Ople, who was seated beside Edith and her sister, Rina, had to calm down the highly emotional mother.
“I told her that the first thing she must do is to offer thanks to the Lord because this is a New Year blessing and a miracle. The case has been pending with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi court for more than three years. Time was really no longer on Jonard’s side until today,” Ople who was present during the private meeting said.
“Nanay” Edith brought the case of her son to the attention of the Blas F. Ople Center in April 2011. The Center has been following up on Jonard’s case with the DFA. The blood money being sought for was pegged at the equivalent of Php 5 million, an amount way beyond the financial capabilities of the fishball and sweet corn vendor. On the average, “Nanay” Edith, as she is fondly called by the Ople Center staff, earns Php 300 a day, an amount that is only enough to feed her family.
Last December 16, around 500 overseas Filipino workers and their families who attended the Christmas party of the Ople Center at Philam Life Auditorium were able to chip in Php 5,000 in addition to Php27,000 already raised by the Langamin family. This amount is still a far cry from the blood money required of Jonard Langamin.
“The act of forgiveness that would be converted into a formal letter to be submitted to the Saudi court is the key that would soon lead to Jonard’s freedom. Vice-President Binay handled the meeting with tact and sensitivity to the plight of both families. The victim’s father did not say much but was very humble and receptive. It’s hard not to divine the Lord’s guiding hand in what happened this morning,” Ople said, adding that the Ople Center had also invited the Mendoza family to attend tomorrow’s mass which shall also be offered in memory of their son, Robertson.
Ph Govt meets Syrian Officials to make OFW representations
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnous and other Syrian officials to formally seek the Syrian Government’s full assistance in facilitating the repatriation of distressed Filipinos, especially those who are in conflict areas, such as in Homs, Daraa, Idlib and Hama.
Secretary del Rosario expressed the Philippines’ gratitude to Foreign Minister al-Moallem for ensuring that all Filipino nationals in Syria are kept safe, despite the ongoing unrest in the country. Foreign Minister al-Moallem provided the Secretary with a first-hand situationer and briefing on the events in Syria.
The Secretary thanked Minister al-Moallem for facilitating the repatriation of 490 Filipinos since the beginning of unrests in March 2011, and for allowing the widespread information dissemination on the Philippine Government’s mandatory repatriation program.
Secretary del Rosario requested the Ministry’s assistance in further updating the Philippine Embassy in Damascus’ current database of 5,000 Filipinos. This is in order to supplement the determination of the exact location and other information of other Filipiinos deployed throughout Syria’s 13 governorates.
He brought to the Minister’s attention the continuing illegal trafficking of OFWs into Syrian territory, despite the current ban on their deployment in view of alert level 4.
The Secretary also expressed the Philippines’ hope for a peaceful and orderly end to the current crisis in the country.
Earlier, Secretary del Rosario and the Philippine delegation also met with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ambassadors in Damascus for an exchange of views on the current political and security situation in Syria, and to coordinate Philippine efforts with that of the embassies of other ASEAN countries in safeguarding the welfare of their nationals across the country.
Upon arrival in Damascus last night, Secretary Del Rosario met with the leaders of the Filipino Community in Syria (FCS), in order to solidify the Philippines’ campaign for the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos, as well as to reiterate the call for all OFWs in Syria to leave the country at the soonest possible time.
“We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipinos in Syria. It is our objective to undertake the repatriation of our kababayans as quickly as possible,” Secretary del Rosario told the leaders of the Filipino community that met him. He added, “We will be repatriating 200 OFWs within the next 2 weeks and another 200 in the following weeks.”
Together with the Philippine delegation and Embassy officers and staff, Secretary del Rosario also thoroughly reviewed the Embassy’s contingency plans, which resulted in a greater commitment of resources that will help in the urgent implementation of the repatriation program.
Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos, Jr., Secretary del Rosario proceeded to Syria on January 1 to further intensify the Philippine Government’s ongoing efforts in the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Syria.
Ople Center wants jobs for Mindanao refugees
The Blas F. Ople Policy Center, a non-government organization actively involved in helping distressed overseas Filipino workers, called on the government to provide emergency employment and livelihood assistance to displaced families in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay as a preventive measure against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
Former labor undersecretary Susan Ople, president of the BFO Center, noted that conflict areas in Mindanao have become a fertile ground for human trafficking activities due to lack of jobs and economic opportunities.
“Most of the OFWs back from Syria and Jordan who have sought our help come from conflict-ridden areas in Mindanao. They were promised jobs as domestic helpers in Syria or Jordan for US$200 a month and they accepted such offers without knowing where these countries are or what their rights were as migrant workers,” Ople said.
One of the OFWs currently seeking help from the Ople Center for rescue and repatriation from Syria hails from Isabela City, Basilan. In her letter to the Ople Center, a 23-year old OFW named “Liza” said she and other recruited women left Zamboanga for Manila and then were brought to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. They were instructed to hide their working visas in a packet of sanitary napkins for retrieval once the board the plane. “Liza” thought she was headed for Jordan but realized that her papers were meant for Syria.
The anti-trafficking advocate expressed fears that the continued escalation of hostilities in Mindanao would lead to an even higher incidence of human trafficking in the region.
The OFW advocate disagreed with calls for an all-out war policy in Mindanao. “When the body count keeps rising, it is difficult for the concerned parties to keep emotions in check because the pain is very raw and the anger very real. Unfortunately, there are syndicates that are actually out to profit from the pain and sufferings of others.”
She said the Ople Center supports the proposal of Senator Antonio Trillanes for a Senate probe into the Basilan encounter so that the families of slain soldiers can have the answers that they deserve. “This may be the time for policy-makers and legislators to agree on a unified approach to our collective dream of a peaceful and progressive Mindanao.”
Malaysian Court convicts sex traffickers of Filipinas
The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia welcomes the decision of the Jalan Duta Sessions Court 14 in Kuala Lumpur convicting a Malaysian and his Filipina wife for the trafficking of three Filipinas for prostitution.
On 14 October 2011, Mr. Kwong Tuck Choy, a Malaysian, and his Filipino wife Nancy were sentenced to eight years imprisonment and meted a fine of RM30,000 (US$10,000) or RM5,000 (US$1,666) for each charge per accused, for the trafficking of the Filipinas in 2009.
“The vigorous prosecution undertaken by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Malaysian Attorney General’s Chamber is a clear manifestation of the host Government’s resolve in addressing illegal trafficking in persons, particularly its worst form, for prostitution. We are grateful for the full attention the authorities have given to this case,” Ambassador-designate J. Eduardo Malaya said.
The three Filipinas — Dynalyn, age 23; Rhea, 23; and Sarah, 24 (not their real names)– testified against the couple and were later repatriated to the Philippines.
The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, in a press release, likewise said it looked after the welfare of the accused Filipina, to ensure that her legal rights under local laws were respected.
The Sessions Court, pending the appeal filed by the accused at the Malaysian High Court, allowed the commutation of the sentence, according to the press statement.
However, a bail of RM10,000 (US$3,333) each and other requirements such as a monthly visit to the Sentul Police Station, among others, were imposed on them.
Meanwhile, criminal prosecution for human trafficking is currently underway against Singaporean national Alfred Lim who was earlier doing business in Malaysia. He is facing complaints filed by two Filipinas in 2009. A decision on this particular case is expected shortly.
The Embassy reiterates its appeal to all Filipinos to be vigilant when seeking overseas employment.
It encourages Filipinos to verify the identity and other bona fides of their prospective recruiters with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency or the nearest Embassy or Philippine Overseas Labor Office so as not to fall prey into the hands of human traffickers.
OFWs sell blood to survive
An undetermined number of undocumented and jobless overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia sell their blood to buy food while some even send the “honoraria” as remittance to their families at home.
It has become the source of ‘daily susbsistence” for some of the estimated 10,000 undocumented and jobless OFWs, according to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.
Among them is OFW ‘Roy’ (not his real name), 30, from Tondo, Manila, who arrived in Saudi Arabia to work as a glass cutter in 2009.
“After months of working and have not been paid of his salaries, he was forced to run away from his employer and since then became undocumented,” said Monterona.
OFW Roy is jumping from one part-time job to another like many other undocumented OFWs, Monterona described the situation.
“Mahirap ang walang permanenteng trabaho at TNT. Kaya buwan-buwan nagbebenta ako ng dugo para may pera at remittance para sa pamilya ko (It’s hard to have no permanent job and as a TNT (tago-ng-tago). Thus, every month, I am ‘selling’ my blood to have money and send remittance to my family),” OFW Roy told Monterona.
Monterona also cited the case of OFW ‘Miko’, 38, a store merchandiser in Riyadh, Saudi’s capital.
OFW Miko, according to Monterona, confirmed that he, too, sold his blood in a hospital in Riyadh when he was terminated from his job and could not easily find a job for three months.
“Una, nag-donate ako ng 500 CC, binigyan ako ng 500 Saudi rials. Pagkalipas ng dalawang buwan, 500 CC ulit ng dugo. Binigyan ako ng hospital ng 300 SR. (First, I donated 500 CC blood. I was given 500 SR. After two months, 500 CC again. The hospital gave me 300 SR,” OFW Miko told Monterona.
Monterona said there is nothing wrong to donate flood. “It is in fact a noble and humanitarian act,” he added.
He noted some hospitals in Riyadh have beeng urging its nationals and expatriate workers to donate blood. In return donors are given honoraria.
“We could fully understand the dire situation of our undocumented and jobless OFWs who often donated their blood to various hospitals in Riyadh, though their apparent motive is to get money in exchange of the blood they donated,” Monterona added.
Migrante chapter in the Kingdom has been urging the PH embassy in Riyadh to consider putting up a shelter for undocumented male OFWs who are in dire situation.
The PH embassy has a Bahay Kalinga, a temporary refuge for distressed women OFWs.
(Photo Credit: www.migrant-rights.org)
Phl, top destination for service outsourcing
The Philippine Permanent Mission in Geneva reported that Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Industry and Investments Cristino L. Panlilio said the Philippines has established itself as one of the top destinations globally for services outsourcing, being second only to India.
He told the ongoing 58th Session of the Trade and Development Board, which oversees the activities of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), that the Philippines’ cost competitiveness, excellent telecommunications infrastructure, large talent pool, strong public-private sector partnerships, and relatively low risk perception are among the factors that transnational corporations considered in selecting the Philippines for services outsourcing.
Services outsourcing in the Philippines includes voice business process outsourcing (BPO), non-voice BPO in finance, accounting, medical transcription, and other areas, and information technology – electronic service outsourcing (IT-ESO).
In 2010, the Philippine IT-BPO industry reached US$9 billion in revenues, and engaged the services of 530,000 full-time employees in financial services, human resources, IT and software development, management services, engineering design, animation and other sectors.
Undersecretary Panlilio noted that the industry now accounts for 60 percent of the country’s total services exports.
In 2011, the industry is expected to generate US$11 billion in terms of services export revenues, and to provide employment to 640,000 people.
21 OFWs to arrive from Syria
The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported that 21 Filipinos are expected to arrive from Syria onboard a Qatar Airways flight this evening in light of the Philippine government’s raising of alert level 3 (voluntary repatriation) in said country.
The Embassy repatriated six Filipinos on September 20. One Filipino also arrived from Damascus on September 21.
Most of the Filipino repatriates were household service workers (HSWs) who expressed their desire to come home due to labor-related issues with their respective employers.
The Embassy and the Overseas Preparedness and Response Team with a 10-member Rapid Reaction Team (RRT) for Syria conducted intensive negotiations with the Filipino repatriates’ employers for the immediate release of their exit visas.
The RRT arrived in Syria three weeks ago as augmentation personnel to the Embassy in its efforts to repatriate Filipinos in the country. The team is composed of officials from the DFA, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of National Defense and the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Following the instruction of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus has been intensifying its efforts to repatriate Filipino nationals in Syria, according to Charge d’Affaires Ricardo Endaya.
The DFA has raised Alert Level 3 in Syria on August 16, and have enjoined Filipinos in the country to go home. Under Alert Level 3, voluntary repatriation at government’s expense will be offered to Filipinos who wish to leave Syria in light of the escalating tensions there.
In Manila, the DFA has organized the Task Group on Voluntary Repatriation-Syria. Relatives of Filipinos in Syria living in the Philippines may call the following numbers: 834-4617, 834-4618, 834-4619, 834-4620, 834-4621, 834-4622, 834-4623, 834-4624, 834-3245 and 834-3240 (from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M., Monday to Sunday); 834-3333 and 834-4997 (from 8 P.M. to 8 A.M., Monday to Sunday).
They may also send text messages to +639275768621 or +639158445546.
Queries and request for assistance may also be sent via email at dfa.repat@gmail.com or pe.damascus@gmail.com.
Filipinos in Syria may likewise call the Philippine Embassy in Damascus at the dedicated hotline numbers +96311-6132626 (landline), and +96393-2176214 and +96399-0270464 (mobile) to seek assistance and information from the Embassy.
DFA warns OFWs to leave Syria now
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Syria to leave the country as soon as possible due to escalating violence.
Romulo said the DFA is raising Alert Level 3 for the entire country of Syria effective today as internal conflict between political leaders and parties has mobilized thousands to go on marches that caused eruption of violence on the streets.
“Under Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation), all Filipinos working and residing in Syria are enjoined to leave Syria and the Philippine Government will provide for the repatriation cost,” Romulo said in the DFA press statement.
He likewise directed the Philippine Embassy in Damascus to intensify its efforts to reach out to Filipinos and convince them that now is the time to consider leaving Syria.
There are more or less 5,000 OFWs in Syria who mostly work as domestic helpers. The Department of Labor and Employment estimated that 90 percent of the OFWs in Syria are illegal.
Somali pirates release 24 Pinoys aboard MV Renuar
Somali pirates released 24 Filipino seafarers a board MV Renuar on 23 April, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) press statement said today.
MV Renuar, a Panama-flagged and Liberian-owned bulk cargo vessel, was
abducted on 11 December 2010 in the Indian Ocean, approximately 1050
nautical miles east of the Somali coast and a distance of 550 nautical
miles from the coast of India.
The vessel was en route to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates from
Port Louis in Mauritius when it was taken over.
Captain Gaudencio Collado, Armed Forces of the Philippines Liaison
Officer to the Combined Maritime Forces, and the vessel’s local
manning agency reported to the DFA that the 24 Filipino seafarers are
all in good condition.
The vessel is now sailing to Fujairah, and arrangements for the
repatriation of the 24 Filipino seafarers to Manila are being made.
To date, there are still 79 Filipino seafarers on board nine vessels that the
Somali pirates hold in captivity.
The Philippine government has undertaken measures to minimize the
exposure of Filipino seafarers to piracy attacks, including making
arrangements with ship principals and manning agencies for vessels to
travel along a safety corridor and to adopt best management practices
as a deterrence to piracy attacks.
The Philippine government has likewise taken up the issue of maritime
safety and security in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean before
the United Nations and other international organizations. The
Philippines is a member of the intergovernmental Contact Group on
Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), according to the DFA press statement.
Last year, CMF-AFPLO Captain Collado was also deployed with the
Combined Maritime Fleet in Manama, Bahrain, to assist in the latter’s
efforts to prevent piracy attacks.
54 distressed OFWs arrive from Jeddah
Some 54 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were among those who camped beside the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last night.
The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) that the repatriated group consisted of 54 Filipinos who were part of many distressed migrant workers from the Khandara overpass area that the Saudi immigration police took into custody on 2-3 February 2011.
Many of the repatriated OFWs suffered maltreatment from their previous employers or had experiences of contractual substitution and non-payment of salaries, according to the DFA press release.
The Consulate, together with the Filipino community, provided food and basic necessities to the OFWs while they were in Jeddah waiting for their exit visas, the DFA noted.
Representatives from the DFA-OUMWA and from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration extended assistance to the repatriates at the airport, the press release claimed.
The Consulate made representations with the Saudi authorities for the issuance of the repatriates’ exit visas, the DFA further said.